Adaptive tools and daily living aids that make the bad days a little less bad.
Because making dinner shouldn't feel like an extreme sport.
Place it on a jar, press a button, done. No more death-gripping pickle jars or asking someone else to open them. A genuine game-changer for bad hand days.
View on AmazonLarger, softer grips that don't require you to squeeze. Weighted versions can also help with hand tremors. Look for sets that include a fork, knife, and spoon.
View on AmazonDitch the cast iron on flare days. Lightweight aluminum or ceramic-coated pans save your wrists and still cook a solid meal.
View on AmazonManual can openers are a special kind of torture for stiff hands. Electric ones do the work with one touch. Get a countertop one you don't have to hold.
View on AmazonInstead of sawing back and forth (hello, wrist pain), a rocker knife lets you cut food with a gentle rocking motion. Much easier on the joints.
View on AmazonChopping vegetables by hand is overrated. A small food processor handles chopping, grating, and pureeing so your hands don't have to.
View on AmazonButtons are the enemy. Here's your arsenal.
A button hook pulls buttons through buttonholes without requiring finger dexterity. The zipper pull adds a loop handle to tiny zipper tabs. Simple, cheap, life-improving.
View on AmazonTurn any lace-up shoe into a slip-on. No tying required. Available in every color and they actually look normal.
View on AmazonGets your shoes on without bending over or wrestling with them. The long handle means no contortion acts required.
View on AmazonA plastic form that holds your sock open so you can slide your foot in without reaching down. Sounds weird, works beautifully.
View on AmazonHygiene shouldn't require a pep talk.
An electric toothbrush does the brushing motion for you, and the larger handle is easier to grip. Your hands rest while your teeth get cleaner.
View on AmazonStanding in the shower when your joints are screaming is optional. A sturdy shower stool lets you sit and take your time. No shame in the stool game.
View on AmazonReaches your back, your feet, and everywhere else that becomes unreachable on bad days. Curved handles are even better.
View on AmazonReplace squeeze bottles with pump dispensers mounted on the shower wall. One press, done. No grip strength required.
View on AmazonFor all the things that require hands to cooperate.
A handle that clamps onto your key and gives you leverage to turn it. Saves your fingers from that awful twisting motion.
View on AmazonRubbery sheets or wraps that add grip to anything — doorknobs, pens, steering wheels. Cheap and surprisingly effective.
View on AmazonConverts round doorknobs into lever handles you can push down with your palm or forearm. No gripping or twisting needed.
View on AmazonPicks things up from the floor or high shelves without bending or stretching. The "I've dropped that three times already" lifesaver.
View on AmazonBecause your job doesn't care about your flare day.
Keeps your wrists in a neutral position instead of twisted. If you type for work, this is one of the best investments you can make.
View on AmazonHolds your hand in a handshake position instead of flat. Reduces wrist strain significantly. Takes a day to get used to, then you'll never go back.
View on AmazonSet timers, control lights, play music, add to shopping lists — all without lifting a finger. Literally. Great for high-flare days.
View on AmazonSoft, built-up grips that slide onto regular pens, or pens designed with wider barrels. Make writing less painful when you can't avoid it.
View on AmazonIf you haven't been referred to an occupational therapist (OT), ask your rheumatologist. OTs specialize in finding tools and techniques that make daily life easier with RA. They can recommend specific products for your exact situation — and some may be covered by insurance.